Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER <a href="http://twitter.com/oneidaphoto">twitter.com/oneidaphoto</a>
Linda Kendall of Chittenango, winner of the medalion contest, poses with the gift basket she won on Saturday, July 28, 2012 in Chittenango. less

Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER <a href="http://twitter.com/oneidaphoto">twitter.com/oneidaphoto</a>
Linda Kendall of Chittenango, winner of the medalion contest, poses with the gift ... more

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Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER <a href="http://twitter.com/oneidaphoto">twitter.com/oneidaphoto</a>
The six panel mural by artist Jon DeFrees and other artist is unveiled in the village of Chittenango as part of the bicentennial celebration on Saturday, July 28, 2012. less

Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER <a href="http://twitter.com/oneidaphoto">twitter.com/oneidaphoto</a>
The six panel mural by artist Jon DeFrees and other artist is unveiled in the ... more

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Chittenango celebrates 200th anniversary (video)

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CHITTENANGO -- Settlers came to the area because of the fertile soil and the creek's waterpower -- ultimately fueling growth of the village that in 1812 was named Chittenango.

Area residents gathered Saturday to reflect on their historical past, applaud what they have accomplished to date, and look to the future as they celebrated their village's bicentennial.

Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-111, and Sen. Dave Valesky, D-49, were both on hand to congratulate the village on this occasion and read a proclamation from both houses of the State Legislature commemorating the village's bicentennial.

"The village looks outstanding today," Valesky said. "Two hundred years is a long time, but an anniversary of this magnitude is also a time to look forward for many good years yet to come for Chittenango."

With its customary speeches and appearances by notable dignitaries, and special musical arrangements performed by the high school dixieland band, the brief ceremony provided residents with a glimpse of the history of the village culminating with the unveiling of murals that will preserve the past for generations to come.

With the enthusiasm of a New Year's Eve ball drop, residents counted down as volunteers gently unveiled a set of six murals mounted on the wall of a red brick building facing the village parking lot . As the tarps were removed, the crowd cried out in appreciation.

"These are absolutely beautiful works and something that this village will be proud to see and share with all of our visitors," Chittenango resident Jean Salton said.

The murals are the work of artist Jon DeFrees and many volunteers who spent the better part of past two years on this project. Defrees got his initial inspiration for the project by looking through old postcards showing some of the nostalgic street scenes reminiscent of the original village. From these postcards, DeFrees designed six murals on slabs of thin aluminum, now permanent housed for residents and visitors to enjoy. Five depict downtown, street-life scenes, while the other depicts Chittenango Falls.

"Most of the buildings that you see in these murals no longer stand today, but if you look real hard, you might be able to hear the voices of the people of the past who inhabited this village," DeFrees said.